Italian Parachute IF41SP

[Paolo Marzetti]

Here's the Italian WWII parachute IF41SP in the improved 3rd version, as
issued to the Nembo Division from 1942 onward.It has a canopy of 56mt2,camouflaged.I'll post later more detailed pictures.
This parachute is very similar to the German parachutes RZ16 and RZ20 but
with a better safety hook attached to the rope deploy system.This parachute
has been issued to all the ADRA and X Rgt Arditi paratroops in 1942 and 1943,
during the operative raids in North Africa and occupied Sicily.
IF41SP stands for:IMBRACATURA FANTERIA SCUOLA PARACADUTISTI 1941
(Harness Infantry Paratrooper's School 1941)
Ciao, PaoloM

[frank savage]

Great item, Marpo!!!

Few words, again... The IF41SP, was choosed instead of 'Salvador' models for a better safety jump. The Salvador, anyway, was used troughout the war by all the aircrew members in its last version called D39.
In 1937 the italian army build, as the army of other country made, its own airborne branch. The next year in Lybia begun the training of the first airborne troopers, under Lt.Col Freri. Was choosed for the jump the same parachute used by the Regia Aeronautica crewmebmers, a rig called Salvador D37 a 'one strap' grandfather of D39 type. The problem of this model of parachute was the too fast fall, that became dangerous for the group jump. In April 16, 1938, three hundred men jumped from 24 Sm81 three motors transport airplane. This day, eight man die and lots was wounded. Even the improved model D39 doesn't resolve anything, because its nature was not right for the lots of jump the airborne guys have to do.
A better training and a new type of parachute resolve partially the problem. The chute was the IF41SP.

See'ya, Frank Savage

[flashider]

WOW Paolo!!!
Unfortunately I can't see the picture very well

[Jmatchlock]

Paolo -OUTSTANDING

[Paolo Marzetti]

More photos:

rear view:

[Paolo Marzetti]

Camo canopy of the above version:


More common the white silk canopy.

[Paolo Marzetti]

The issue canvas bag of the IF41SP parachute:


Bye for the moment ! PaoloM

[Ralph P]

Hello all - I have added this link related to another parachute thread from this forum that should assist others when they visit this thread.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=251194

Paolo - Thanks for the data in your thread...

[Paolo Marzetti]

The issue IF41SP manual, that I recently got on eBay.Ciao PaoloM

[Paolo Marzetti]

Camo canopy.PaoloM

[ARDITO]

The booklet where the landing were recorded
Regards Luca
[IMG][/IMG]

[Paolo Marzetti]

Rare and very beautiful item Luca!!!PaoloM

[nmlawrence]

Is it possible to have a picture showing the parachutes buckles at all? I'm intrigued to know how they work.

thanks

Neil